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Glite Dictionary
Hymenophyllaceae

Hymenophyllaceae

9.9
Thin, delicate ferns with almost transparent leaves that grow in wet, shaded places
  • noun
  • /ˌhaɪməˈnɒfɪˌleɪʃiː/
  • Specialized
: Himenofiliáceas
  • Many species in the Hymenophyllaceae family thrive as epiphytes in cloud forests.

Examples

  • The Hymenophyllaceae are known for their delicately thin leaves that resemble sheets of cellophane.

  • Botanists study Hymenophyllaceae to understand adaptations to moist, shaded environments.

  • The Hymenophyllaceae family includes many unique species.

  • Have you seen the Hymenophyllaceae in the rainforest?

  • Many species in the Hymenophyllaceae family thrive as epiphytes in cloud forests.

  • Botanists study Hymenophyllaceae to understand their unique adaptations to moist environments.

  • The Hymenophyllaceae are recognized for their delicate fronds that look like translucent sheets.

Synonyms

film fern
vsHymenophyllaceae
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A small fern with very thin, almost see-through leaves that grows in very wet tropical forests

is broader covering several related genera rather than a single genus
filmy fern
vsHymenophyllaceae
8.4

A tropical fern with very thin, see-through leaves that grows on trees or mossy banks

is a scientific family including those thin translucent ferns

Surface Forms

Hymenophyllaceae singular
Hymenophyllaceae plural

Morphology

Hymenophyllaceae = Hymenophyllum (opaque) = Hymenophyll + aceae

The form is built from a genus name plus the specialized botanical family suffix '-aceae', which is technical and not transparently meaningful to average learners.

Etymology

The word Hymenophyllaceae comes from Greek parts: hymen meaning 'membrane' and phyll meaning 'leaf', plus the family ending -aceae used for plant groups. These ferns have very thin, 'membrane-like' leaves, so the name helps explain their delicate, filmy look.